A cross of their own choosing(Thomas Watson, "The Art of Divine Contentment")"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know both how to have a littleand I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being contentwhether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need." Philippians 4:11-12Paul knew how to manage in every statehe learned to be content whatever his circumstances. If he was in prosperityhe knew how to be thankful. If he was in adversityhe knew how to be patient. He was neither lifted up with prosperitynor cast down with adversity.A Christian should be content in any and every situation.Many are contented in some conditionsbut not in every condition. They can be content in a wealthy state. When they have the streams of milk and honeynow they are content. But if the wind turns and is against themnow they are discontented. While they have a silver crutch to lean uponthey are contented; but if God breaks this crutchnow they are discontented. Many would be content with their afflictionif God would allow them to pick and choose. They could better endure sicknessthan poverty; or bear loss of estatethan loss of children. If they might have a cross of their own choosingthey would be content. But a contented Christian does not desire to choose his crossbut leaves God to choose for him. He is content both for the kind of the afflictions, and the duration of the afflictions, which God gives him. A contented mansays, "Let God apply whatever medicine He pleasesand let it lie on as long as He desires. I know when it has done its cure, and eaten the venom of sin out of my heartthat God will take it away."A contented Christian, being sweetly captivated under the authority of the Word, desires to be wholly at God's disposal, and cheerfully lives in whatever circumstances that God has placed him in. "I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties." (2 Corinthians 12:10) He does not only submit to God's dealingsbut rejoices in them!
_________________R.Chandrasekaran